I didn’t really know where to post this so please feel free to move it if I am in the wrong area. This year we are gently starting into the holiday lighting field in our area. I had originally planned to add this service next year but I have a couple customers that have twisted my arm to do it for them this year. I plan on taking care of these customers this year as a way to work on our system of installing and pricing. These customers know that they are pulling me into this a year earlier than planned so if I have any difficulties it will be ok. Looking at doing just two residentials and probably 3 banks. So far my plans are to start with using C-7 socket wire and LED minis. I think most of my greenery I will find local through sams or costco.
I have looked at the following companies for supplies and info: Brite Ideas
Outdoor Christmas Decorations - Christmas Decorating
Sival, Inc. - Christmas lights, party string lights, holiday lights, and wedding
Village Lighting Company :: Prograde Lighing and Training
Seasonal Source by The Source, Inc.
Welcome to Action Lighting- Your one stop lighting shop!
If anyone has any info on these companies or others I would love to hear it. I have alot to learn so I would like to hear opinions on the steel frame linkable type lights. Also if anyone knows of an online forum that is loaded with holiday lighting info I would love to hear about that as well.
Turner,
You have a good start on lighting suppliers. I also 1000bulbs.com, AllAmericanChristmas.com, and a few others that an online search will find.
I will suggest a few things before you start.
[LIST]
[]Don’t buy your lights on the internet, if you can avoid it. LEDs are hard to find locally, but I know it can be done.
[]Buy Clips (I suggest the “All-In-One” style/name) and connectors (male/female plugs) online. You can find exactly what you want online for cheaper than the retail stores.
[]Use 18 ga lamp cord from the local Home Depot or Lowes to run connections between strands. Extension cords are expensive when you can just use some regular lmap cord and 4 wire nuts.
[]Stay away, as far as you can, from icicle lights. They are horrible.
[/LIST]
I have much more if interested.
Good Luck!
I buy my lights from Village lighting, good product and they give out a nice catalog you can show your customers. They don’t sell direct in small quantities, but you can purchase through authorized dealers.
I agree with Burt, stay away from icicle lights. Too difficult to install and take down.
I only install the lights I sell. Too much time (money) is wasted untangling lighting, replacing broken bulbs and so on.
The price I quote includes the initial purchase of the lights, install and removal plus storage. I get 50% up front and the balance after the install. You can try a different percentage breakdown, but trying to get money to take down the lights after the Christmas money is spent might be difficult.
Hey Turner,
Smart move hanging lights. We are both Missouri guys. Thats cool. LED Icices are a piece of cake. i push LED’s. Yes they cost. But I put them up and don’t worry about any problems. I have a few different people I purchase from around the Kansas City area not home depot lowes. i mean good lights and wire. Make your own cords. Incadesent lights are pretty cheap and I use 7 watt with spt1 wire and 10 watt I use spt2. You need wire I know a place that has GREAT prices on wire and sell good lights and high quailty led’s. If you want email me at [email protected]. I like hanging lights. Great money.
Paul
Show Me Cleaning
Parkville Missouri
Show Me Cleaning Window Cleaning Kansas City, Missouri, Mo. and the State of Kansas, Ks
Great info guys, I will check out those other sites to see what more they have. What do you guys use for design software or do you use any at all? By googling the main one that I find is that Holiday Soft, any experiences?
Do you guys all store the lights too? I plan on requiring our lights for the install and also storing the product. If a customer buys their own greenery will you guys put it up for them and store it? Anyone recommend any of the training DVD’s or classes. See Lots of questions, I will shoot you guys some emails this weekend too so you don’t have to share all your secrets online. 
Oh is there any other online sources that you guys know of for more info, I like to be as prepared as possible. I have found some good info over at Lawnsite but it is mainly info on Holiday Brite Ideas product. Thanks for the info guys, I think this could be a great addon and a really fun time of the year.
Do you guys ever use the socketed type lights such as these.
http://www.aachristmas.com/vpasp/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=326
Or do you just use regular LED light cord with lamp cord to a regular type plug in
Those are good if you want to pay the price. I tried AA Christmas lighting when I first started, It wasn’t a match.
How do you quote for Xmas lights install & removal? Is by linear foot or time?
Thanks
I do tons of Christmas Lights. I charge 3.00 foot for plain old clear bulbs and LEDS add a dollar and if you need a hook up on lights. I think I’ve trying everone and have this place that has the right price and great bulbs. I get the good leds pretty cheap.
Paul
Show Me Cleaning Window Cleaning Kansas City, Missouri, Mo. and the State of Kansas, Ks
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEafB0uETnY]YouTube - Christmas lights_0001.wmv[/ame]
Heres a quick video I through together. My videos never turn out that good but hopefully you can get something out of it! lol
Nicely done there buddy. What I want to know is what is a ridge? We call them peaks. I think we are going to try to make some videos. One other thing is. on pulling the wire tight in really cold areas can be a promblem because that wire kinda tighten up in cold cold weather and can seprate. I’ve had that happen and had to go bad and heat seal it.
Sorry about the ridge just had to polk a little fun at you. You know hearing us say we need to go up that ridge would just sounded funny.
Over peaks, through valleys and across ridges…Sounds like were lighting a path over the Himalayans! lol
Feels like sometimes. When daylight gets past you. LOL
Im runnin into some huge logistical nightmares here!!!
I know the feeling. I replaced a GFI last night in my sleep. LOL
